It was an absolutely fantastic experience. I am sincerely grateful to you and to Catalin for the adventure in Bulgaria and Romania. The route we took …
Romania revealed
11 nights
Bucharest | Sibiu | Hunyad Castle | Alba Iulia | Cluj Napoca | Maramures region (Sapanta Merry Cemetery, wooden churches) | Bucovina region (UNESCO painted monasteries) | Bicaz gorges | Sighisoara | Viscri | Brasov | Peles & Bran Castles
Begins in Bucharest, then proceed to Sibiu, stopping at Curtea de Arges and Poienari Castle.
Explore Alba Iulia, tour the salt mines at Turda, then cross the Carpathians toward Maramures. Visit a traditional market and absorb the old-world atmosphere.
Visit the wooden churches, attend a private folkloric performance, and tour Barsana. In Bucovina, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Painted Monasteries and attend an egg-painting demonstration.
Visit the home of a Gypsy family. Drive through the Bicaz Gorges to Sighisoara. Spend time in Viscri, an exquisite Transylvanian village; tour Bran Castle, Peles Castle, and the Azuga Rhein Wine Cellars.
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Best of Romania
8 nights
Bucharest | Sibiu | Sighisoara | Cluj Napoca | Maramures (the area with the wooden churches) | Bucovina (UNESCO painted monasteries) | Bicaz gorges | Brasov | Peles & Bran Castles
At Curtea de Arges, visit the 14th-century monastery; at Poienari Castle, explore the throne of Vlad the Impaler. Visit the Saxon city of Sibiu, then proceed to Sighisoara.
Tour the ancient salt mines at Turda, visit the modern urban center of Cluj Napoca and discover Surdesti.
In Maramures, experience a living medieval landscape. In Vadu Izei, you’ll be treated to an exclusive show of folkloric song and dance.
Visit the famous UNESCO World Heritage Painted Monasteries, journey through the spectacular Bicaz Gorges, and tour the Old Town in Brasov.
Proceed to Bran Castle, Peles Castle, and Sinaia Monastery. Continue reading
Dracula Tour in Transylvania
5 nights
Bucharest | Curtea de Arges | Sibiu | Sighisoara | Bran Castle | Brasov | Sinaia | Snagov monastery | Bucharest
At Curtea de Arges, visit the surreal 14th-century monastery; at Poienari Fortress, ascend the steep cliff to Vlad the Impaler’s forbidding center of command.
In Sibiu, tour the fortified Saxon city; then explore medieval Sighisoara.
Proceed to magnificent Bran Castle and Brasov’s Old Town. Sample some Transylvanian traditional food. Next, visit the elegant Peles Castle and Sinaia Monastery before winding up your tour on the islet of Snagov, believed to be the final resting place of Dracula.
Citadels of Transylvania & UNESCO painted monasteries
7 nights
Bucharest | Peles & Bran Castles | Brasov | UNESCO painted monasteries | Popa Ethnographical Museum | Sighisoara | Sibiu | Curtea de Arges
Begin at the opulent 19th-century Peles Castle, then tour Brasov’s Old Town. Proceed to Bran Castle before visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Painted Monasteries. Drive through the magnificent Bicaz Gorges and attend an egg-painting demonstration at the home of the artist.
Discover the Popa Ethnographical Museum, take in the magnificent view at Sighisoara, and visit the home of a Gypsy family. Visit Saxon Sibiu and Biertan, then the breathtaking 14th-century monastery at Curtea de Arges. Finally, climb the steep steps to Vlad the Impaler’s Poienari Fortress, and enjoy the ultimate strategic view over the landscape below. Continue reading
Romania at a glance
4 nights
Bucharest | Curtea de Arges | Poienari fortress ruins | Sibiu | Biertan fortified church | Sighisoara | Brasov | Peles & Bran Castles
Dark legends, priceless monuments, and fascinating historical revelations are revealed as you travel deep into the Transylvanian countryside.
Begin your tour in Bucharest, then make your way to Curtea de Arges. At Poienari Fortress, ascend to the throne of Vlad the Impaler. In Sibiu, tour the most fortified of the region’s Saxon cities before heading to the impressive Biertan Church.
In Sighisoara, climb to the beautiful Clock Tower. In Brasov’s Old Town, admire the Black Church; proceed to the legendary Bran Castle and Peles Castle, the elegant 19th-century royal residence. Continue reading
UNESCO Painted Monasteries of Bucovina
5 nights
Bucharest | Brasov | Bicaz Gorges | Painted monasteries of Bucovina | Nicolae Popa Museum | Neamt fortress |Bucharest
Begin your tour in Bucharest, then proceed to the lavish Peles Castle for a guided tour. Next, visit Sinaia Monastery and Bran Castle. In Brasov’s Old Town, take a guided walking tour of the old town.
Next, drive across the Carpathians, passing through “Szekely Land.” Continue your journey along the breathtaking Bicaz Gorges.
Tour the famous UNESCO World Heritage Painted Monasteries before attending an expert demonstration of the age-old art of egg painting, followed by homemade lunch at the artist’s home.
On the way to Bucharest, visit the Nicolae Popa Ethnographic Museum and the monumental 14th-century Neamt Fortress.
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Day trip to Transylvania
10 to 12 hours
Peles Castle | Sinaia monastery | Bran Castle (a.k.a. Dracula's Castle) | Brasov (guided walk and visit of the Black Church)
Arrive in Sinaia, a picturesque mountain resort; nearby, tour the opulent Peles Castle and the famous Sinaia Monastery. Next, continue on to medieval Bran Castle before exploring the Old Town of Brasov via a guided walking tour. Most of the original Saxon architecture is still in magnificent condition; you’ll investigate the vast Black Church, a Gothic monolith of the late 14th century.
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Day trip to Bulgaria
10 to 12 hours
Veliko Tarnovo (Tsarevets fortress and the Samovodene Street) | Arbanassi (the Konstantsalieva House and the Nativity church)
Your destination is Veliko Tarnovo, the medieval Bulgarian capital. Tour the impressive Tsarevets Fortress, command center for the Bulgarian state until the 15th century.
Spend time in the intriguing shops of Samovodene Street, where artists still pursue traditional art forms. Watch these masters demonstrate woodcarving, icon painting, weaving, and metalworking.
Visit the exquisite village of Arbanassi, centuries-old home of Bulgaria’s richest merchants. The town’s obvious wealth caused it to be targeted by bandits—hence the fortress-like architecture of the private homes. Visit the extraordinary Konstantsalieva House and the Nativity Church, featuring some of the most vivid frescoes in Bulgaria.
Wallachian discovery
5 to 6 hours
Mogosoaia Palace | Snagov monastery
Travel to the village of Mogosoaia, where Constantin Brancoveanu, King of Wallachia, brought masters of European architecture to create a new architectural style known today as “Brancovenesc.” Mogosoaia Palace stands as a fine example of this style; it resembles a comfortable, elegant house. Enjoy a guided tour of the palace, now a museum housing priceless treasures of the royal family of Wallachia.
Next, continue on to Lake Snagov. Tour the beautiful 16th-century monastery made famous as the final resting place of Vlad the Impaler. Enjoy a guided tour of the church before returning with your guide to your hotel.
3 Transylvanian castles in one day
10 to 12 hours
Peles Castle | Sinaia monastery | Bran Castle | Rasnov fortress
Today, you’ll explore three of Romania’s most evocative castles.
First, take in the magnificent Peles Castle, the enchanting 19th-century seat of the Romanian royal family. Continue on to Sinaia Monastery, an impressive complex founded in 1695 by a Romanian prince.
Next, journey to the gorgeous Bran Castle. After your guided tour, you’ll have a bit of free time for souvenir-shopping and tasting the local, traditional delicacies for sale outside the castle.
Complete your day at Rasnov Fortress, built by Teutonic Knights to defend nearby Transylvanian towns; the citadel provided crucial sanctuary for local inhabitants during troubled times.